Photo credit: Lets Go Digital
IBM’s latest patent reveals an electronic device with a flexible display, but not just any smartwatch. This one is reported to have a multi-fold display that would enable you to also use it as a smartphone and tablet computer. That’s right, the patent is for a “variable display size for an electronic display device” and in its most compact form, looks like any other smartwatch. Need some more screen real estate? There’s seven auxiliary screen panels stored beneath the main screen, all of which can be taken out of the housing independently. Read more for additional pictures and information.
To use the other displays, simply slide them out of the housing. When four screens are slid out, the device automatically transitions into smartphone mode, which means an all-new user interface with larger icons and images. If you need even more displays, then just slide out the other four parts to activate tablet mode.
According to the patent, each one of the displays measures 2 × 3-inch (W x H). In smartphone mode this would equate to a 4 × 6-inch image, and with everything unfolded, a 8 × 6-inch display. Other features include: multiple speakers and Bluetooth connectivity should you want to connect a keyboard or mouse.